10 August 2017 Current Affairs
India Ratifies 2nd Commitment Period of Kyoto Protocol
India has ratified the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol that commits countries to contain the emission of greenhouse gases, reaffirming its stand on climate action. With this, India became the 80th country to accept the amendment relating to the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the international emissions reduction treaty. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets.
Bollywood Actor Sitaram Panchal passes away
Bollywood actor Sitaram Panchal passed away after almost a year-long battle with kidney and lung cancer. He was 54. Sitaram Panchal, who made his Bollywood debut in 1994 with Bandit Queen, was best known for his work in films like Peepli Live, Pan Singh Tomar, The Legend of Bhagat Singh and Slumdog Millionaire.
Sushma Swaraj in BIMSTEC Meeting
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj departed for Kathmandu to participate in the 15th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting (10th and 11th August). During the two-day meet, Foreign ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries will review the progress in identified fourteen areas of cooperation and discuss ways to accelerate cooperation. She will attend inaugural session of the 15th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.
Kerala, Haryana Top Sanitation Survey
According to the survey, almost all rural households in Kerala and Haryana had access to a toilet report. The survey is released by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and was carried out by the Quality Council of India (QCI). The survey, covering 4626 villages across all States and Union territories, claimed that 62.45% of the households had access to a toilet. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has least access to toilets compared to other states.
6 states chosen Under NITI Aayog’s SATH initiative
NITI Aayog has shortlisted Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka under its ‘Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital’, SATH initiative to handhold them and transform their health sector. The Aayog has also selected Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha under its SATH initiative to transform their education sector. To give major push to competitive, cooperative federalism, the government think tank had invited all states and Union Territories to participate in its SATH initiative to transform Health and Education sectors. States then made presentations for each sector which was assessed by a committee comprised of senior members of NITI Aayog and Health and Human Resources Development ministries.
Amazon Launches Virtual Customer Service in India
Amazon announced the launch of virtual customer service (VCS) model, an initiative launched to create cost efficient employment prospects for skilled candidates seeking more flexible work opportunities. VCS has currently been launched in Hyderabad, Pune, Coimbatore, and Noida and is hiring for entry level job opportunities along with opportunities for team managers and group managers in these cities. This initiative will help many people resume their career and find an earning with the comfort of being at home.
Second National Deworming Day to cover 11 cr children
The second round of National Deworming Day (NDD) is observed on 10 August in 33 States and Union Territories to tackle worm Infections, targeting more than 11 crore children. August 10, is the second round of National Deworming Day, held twice a year. The NDD program was launched in 2015. Under the NDD programme, children aged between 1-19 are provided deworming tablets in schools and anganwadis across the country, except in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh where deworming is carried out once a year.
India ranks 43rd in 2017 Global Retirement Index
India ranked 43rd position in 2017 Global Retirement Index (GRI). It is published by French asset management company Natixis Global. The 43 countries include members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Monetary Fund (IMF) advanced economies and the BRIC countries. The top three countries in 2017 GRI are Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland.
BitBay launches cryptocurrency trading platform in India
BitBay, one of the top ten cryptocurrency trading platforms in the world, has launched a dedicated platform for trade and exchange of digital currencies such as bitcoin, litecoin, ether, Lisk, monero, dash and gamecredits. The company will also work towards creating awareness about digital currencies and also removing misconceptions related to these currencies in a market like India.
Kynan Chenai wins bronze for India at 7th Asian Shotgun Championships
Indian shooter Kynan Chenai won a bronze in men’s trap event, his first international medal at the senior level, at the 7th Asian Championship Shotgun at Astana, Kazakhstan. He shot a score of 30 to finish behind gold medallist Abdulrahman Al Faihan of Kuwait, who shot 39 for a new Asian finals record and another Kuwati Talal Al Rashidi, who bagged the silver with an effort of 38.
Gujarat First State to Implement Coal Utilisation
The Gujarat government has issued a tender for power developers to receive cheap coal marked for the state in return for selling coal-based power at less than Rs 2.82 a unit. Through the auction, Gujarat will transfer the coal allocated to power generating stations owned by Gujarat State Electricity Corporation (GSECL) to more fuel-efficient private power plants. The aim is to reduce the cost of fuel for financially ailing distribution companies and ensure effective distribution of domestic coal.
Oxford Launches Tamil, Gujarati Online Dictionaries
After the Hindi version, Oxford University Press (OUP) has launched online dictionaries in Tamil and Gujarati as part of its special focus on Indian languages. Launched in September 2015 Oxford Global Languages (OGL) is a major initiative from Oxford Dictionaries which aims to build dictionaries and lexicographical resources for around 100 of the world’s languages and to make them available online.
Telangana CM Initiates Rs. 2,000-cr Sriram Sagar Modernization Project
In an effort to modernize the Sriram Sagar project and increase the area served, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao initiated a Rs. 2,000-crore project that seeks to modernize the project. This project on the Godavari river has the potential to serve several districts in the state. Under the Sriram Sagar project revival and restoration initiative, water from the Pranahitha river, which joins the Godavari, will be diverted at Medigadda and pumped into the Sriram Sagar project.
SoftBank Vision Fund invests in Flipkart
Flipkart Group (Flipkart), India’s leading e-commerce marketplace, has announced an investment – a mix of primary and secondary capital – from SoftBank Vision Fund (Vision Fund), the world’s largest technology-focused investment fund. This is the biggest ever private investment in an Indian technology company and will make the Vision Fund one of the largest shareholders in Flipkart. The amount is about $2 billion. The deal will provide a partial exit to Tiger Global, the New York-based investment firm, which until now was the largest and most influential investor in Flipkart.
MCX gets Sebi approval for launching gold options
The Multi Commodity Exchange Ltd (MCX), the country’s largest commodity exchange has received capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (Sebi) approval to launch options trading in gold. It will allow investors and hedgers to minimise their price risk at a fraction of cost compared to currently available futures trading.